“Playing for Sydney Thunder is a great opportunity for me to play for a team rooted in Sydney’s western suburbs as well as to support Cricket Australia in building on last year’s Big Bash success," Clarke said in a press release.

"I am really excited about playing a part in the Big Bash, particularly as it will be against the other Sydney team. Not only do I get to play alongside superstar T20 internationals like Chris Gayle and Shahid Afridi but also with a bunch of great young guys just starting to make their mark, many of whom grew up in the West.”

The addition of Clarke to an already impressive batting line-up is a coup for the Thunder. The 31-year-old is a perfect fit for the Western Sydney team - he grew up in Liverpool, played grade cricket for Western Suburbs and has gone to great lengths to promote the game in the area.

Clarke retired from Australian Twenty20 duties to concentrate on the longer formats of the international game. But after skipping the initial Indian Premier League seasons for family reasons, he made his debut for the Pune Warriors this year.

Clarke, who sat out the inaugural BBL season, is a massive drawcard to the tournament. He would also bolster a Thunder batting line-up which includes West Indian opener Chris Gayle, renowned hitter Mark Cosgrove and Shahid Afridi. As revealed in The Sun-Herald, the Thunder are also in talks with England superstar Kevin Pietersen, who could be subbed in for Afridi when the Pakistani all-rounder departs midway through the domestic season. English keeper-batsman Matt Prior is also a possibility of filling the vacant import spot.

Clarke may only be making one appearance due to international commitments, but his signature is a marketing and promotional boon. Clarke has spoken passionately about promoting the game throughout the Sydney's west and earlier this year won the Wests Ashfield Leagues Club's Magpie Award for outstanding sporting achievement in the district.